My mom, sister, and I huddled around the couch with our rosé in our hands and a bowl of Goodles in our lap. Leo was pacing around the living room to distract himself from the fireworks going off in the distance. I decided to celebrate the new year in Georgia this year instead of NYC. 5-4-3-2-1! Happy New Year!!

 I’m not going to lie, 2024 felt like my “flop year.” I’m actually not exactly sure what boxes needed be checked to officially label a year as a flop year but it’s more a feeling for me. The year started with a traumatic break up, a bad work project, and missed classpass morning classes. It was months of battling not wanting to leave my bed especially in the morning and not meeting my reading goals. I felt like my feet were stuck in mud unable to escape as my project at work seemed to extend indefinitely. And just like that, another NYC Time Square ball dropped and now I’m in my “quarter life crisis” year. To be fair, 2024 had its redeeming moments time to time but overall I know I can do better.

2024 was my first full year out of college. I’ve never had this much
autonomy over my life. And while free will is liberating, it can be also be scary. It’s like when you take your car out for a drive the first time after you get your driver’s license. It’s just you behind the wheel and it’s finally time to put your practice into action. Needless to say, my driver’s license into adulthood was exciting and rough, but full of lessons learned.

I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions, but I want 2025 to be different. I want a new job or role, to read 21 books, and to have a consistent sleep, workout routine, and write more than I ever have.

This new year, I want to become a step closer to making money doing what I love and finding happiness. Maybe that’s too ambitious in this economy. But I would love nothing more than that combination.

It’s bizarre to think I’ll be hitting quarter of a century this year. And while my age anxiety has yet to go away, I do look forward to the stability each year brings (hopefully).

Hope this year is your best year yet. And if it’s not, that’s okay.